Paris - A French official says the European Central Bank is shirking its responsibilities towards Europe's unemployed.
Industrial Recovery Minister Arnaud Montebourg's comments go against a custom that politicians not meddle in the ECB's work.
Montebourg told Europe 1 radio Sunday: "It's not dealing with growth. It's not taking care of the unemployed. It's not taking care of the European people. And it has a duty to do so."
He called on ECB president Mario Draghi to buy the debt of European countries. The ECB has a programme to do just that - but countries must first agree to reforms.
Montebourg also said the bank is keeping the euro strong, which is hurting exports. "What I am asking (Draghi) is to give us the weapons to fight unfair offshoring."